Mercedes Benz 2004 ml 500 Manuale Utente

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283
Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the 
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel 
lift/dolly equipment. This method is pref-
erable to other types of towing.
When circumstances do not permit the 
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the 
ground only so far as necessary to have the 
vehicle moved to a safe location where the 
recommended towing methods can be em-
ployed.
!
Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment, with key in steering lock turned 
to position 0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. 
Towing with sling-type equipment over 
bumpy roads will damage radiator and 
supports.
To prevent damage during transport, 
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or 
suspension parts. Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP (
page 81), 
tow-away alarm (
page 85) and the 
automatic central locking (
page 93).
!
When towing the vehicle with all wheels 
on the ground, the gear selector lever 
must be in position N and the key must 
be in steering lock position 2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels 
on the ground, the vehicle may be 
towed only for distances up to 30 miles 
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 
30 mph (50 km/h).
If the vehicle is towed with the front 
axle raised (observe instructions re-
garding flexible drive shaft), the engine 
must be shut off (key in steering lock 
position 1). Otherwise, the 4-ETS may 
become engaged which may cause loss 
of towing control.
!
To be certain to avoid additional dam-
age to the vehicle powertrain, however 
you should observe the following:
With damage to the front axle
raise front axle
remove flexible drive shaft be-
tween rear axle and transfer 
case
With damage to the rear axle
raise rear axle
tow vehicle with wheel lift or 
dolly placed under front wheels
With damage to the transfer case
remove flexible drive shaft to 
the drive axles
Always install new self-locking nuts 
when reinstalling flexible drive shaft.